Report: Luton Town 1-1 (4-2 P) Ladies

4 September 2014

Callum Read

MK Dons Ladies bowed out at the first stage of the FA Premier League Cup after losing to Luton Town on penalties.

Luton started the brightest and had the majority of the possession, with the Dons struggling to get hold of the ball and into the game. This proved costly as, with 10 minutes gone, the Hatters took the lead with some neat passing unlocking the Dons defence.

This was the kick the Dons needed to get going. Heather McDonnell saw an effort saved by the Luton keeper before hitting the crossbar on half-time, with the whistle coming at the wrong time as the Dons were in full flow.

The Dons took their first-half momentum in the second period and took control of the game, however, they couldn’t create the chance to draw level.

The pressure finally told when a lapse in concentration in the Luton defence allowed Eden Washington to slot home the equaliser and score her first goal of the season.

A combination of Luton’s defence remaining strong and some poor finishing from the Dons meant the match went into extra-time.

Lauren Goodier came the closest for the Dons when her shot was cleared off the line while, at the other end, Emma Kirby kept the Dons in the tie with two eye-catching saves.

The final chance of the 120 minutes fell to the Dons and Christie Turner, who saw her header cleared off the line.

Luton kept their cool in the shoot-out, running over 4-2 victors to progress to round two.